If you are a Jewish high school junior who meets the QuestBridge criteria of academic excellence, economic need, and demonstrated leadership potential, you will automatically be considered for an additional award program offered by the Edward Fein Foundation and aimed at reaching Jewish students.

The Fein Fellows award program was launched in 2008. More than 25 students were selected and became our first recipients. Two students were chosen to participate in summer programs at Harvard and Yale; others received laptop computers and admissions counseling. All were selected as College Prep Scholars. In 2009, an additional 50 students were awarded laptops and admissions counseling; three participated in summer programs at Brandeis University and the University of Pennsylvania. In 2010, 45 Fein Fellows were awarded laptops and admissions counseling and three participated in the Genesis summer program at Brandeis. In both 2011 and 2012, 50 Fein Fellows were awarded laptops and admissions counseling and four participated in the Genesis summer program at Brandeis.

Past Fein Fellows who have been awarded a full four-year National College Match Scholarship include: Benjamin Arar, Princeton; Antonio Brown, Haverford; Andre Shomorony, Yale; Samuel Fox, Haverford; Max Powers, MIT; Caroline Birdrow, Washington & Lee; Lilach Brownstein, Penn; Alejandro Krauskopf, MIT, and Halley Freger, Grinnell. In addition, many Fein Fellows have been accepted at QuestBridge partner schools through the Regular Decision process.

About the Scholarship

Through the Edward Fein Foundation Scholarship Awards program at QuestBridge, the Foundation seeks to ensure access to higher education for high-achieving Jewish students who may lack the financial resources necessary to secure the highest quality education available.

Fein Fellows will be selected from all Jewish high school juniors who meet the QuestBridge criteria of academic excellence, economic need, and demonstrated leadership potential.

Up to four Fein Fellows will be selected to attend the Genesis summer program at Brandeis. All other Fein Fellows will be awarded:

• A laptop computer.
• An invitation to one of our nationwide College Admissions Conferences where winners of the Edward Fein Foundation Scholarship Awards will meet with counselors to discuss their plans for the college application process.
• College essay counseling with a trained QuestBridge advisor to discuss essay topics and the mechanics of a successful college essay. Editors will personally review submitted drafts of essays and offer feedback for improvement.
• Advice on completing the college application, including how to prepare a balanced overall application.
• Answers to general financial aid questions.
• Information to help students make the most informed decisions about the process, including how to choose which colleges to apply to and where to ultimately enroll.

History

The Edward Fein Foundation is the vision of Edward Fein. Born in Brooklyn, New York to Jewish immigrant parents, Edward Fein built a successful career on Wall Street as a financial analyst and stockbroker. Retired since 1972, he relocated to the West Coast and developed an interest in helping others pursue their educational dreams. Edward Fein was the first visionary to understand and support the power of the College Prep Scholarship and Quest for Excellence Awards to help talented low-income Jewish students.

His foundation, the Edward Fein Foundation, recognizes the responsibilities that come with success and has focused on issues of access to education and leadership opportunities, and also has a particular interest in Jewish continuity and education. The Foundation is dedicated to supporting innovative educational programs that support its vision, including Taglit-Birthright Israel, which provides the gift of first time, peer group, educational trips to Israel for Jewish young adults ages 18 to 26.  The Foundation also supports the Genesis Program at Brandeis University among many others.